insist I pay for everything because I can.”
“Well, aren’t you high and fucking mighty.”
Suddenly, everything felt like a big mistake. Just because he loved Liam, it didn’t mean he could live with him.
“That’s not the way I meant it. That came out wrong.”
Spencer zipped his jeans and then sat on the bed to pull on his socks.
“I know you’re strapped for cash until you sell your mom’s house,” he said.
Spencer glared at him. “She rented it.”
He tried another tactic. “Please, let me spoil you.”
“I don’t want to be spoiled.”
“Okay, then I won’t spoil you.” Liam yanked on his clothes and paused in buttoning his shirt. “But I’m still going to pay when we go out.”
“Why is it so important for you to pay when we go out?”
“Because I can.”
“Well, doesn’t that say it all.”
“Spencer, you’re being hard headed.”
“I won’t be bought and I won’t be kept again by any man,” he said between clenched teeth, refusing to bend at the hurt look on Liam’s face.
“Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“Isn’t it?”
Liam
“Jesus, Spencer, let me help you.”
“No.”
“Why not? I’m in a position to help you.”
“I don’t want to feel like I owe you.”
Fuck! He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
“Cobalt Industries gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to help people.” He didn’t dare say the word charity.
Spencer stayed quiet.
“I want to help you, Spencer. I can’t stand you working yourself into the fucking ground when I have the means to help you. Why can’t I help a… friend in need?” Friend? Fuck, they were so much more than that.
“I don’t want you to think less of me.”
“Oh, Spencer,” he breathed. “I’d never think less of you for taking a helping hand. That’s what people do for each other. They help each other. It’s part of being in a relationship, whether it’s just friends or lovers.”
Spencer closed his eyes and Liam eased closer. “Letting me help you doesn’t make you any less of a provider. I just want to take the edge off of your finances so you can take a fucking breath. I want to give you and Wesley the world. I have so much to give. And I want to give it to you.”
He cupped Spencer’s face. A sheen of brightness hit Spencer’s eyes and the man quickly turned his head to hide the tears, but Liam saw them. He moved his hands to Spencer’s shoulders and kept them there while the man worked out an answer.
“I don’t know how,” Spencer said gruffly.
“Don’t know how to what?” He frowned.
“Take your help.” Spencer finally turned back to face him.
Liam smiled. “You just need to say yes. Then we can discuss what it will take to get you and keep you out of the red.”
After a moment of hesitation, Spencer said, “I’ll think about it.”
Liam let out a long breath. At least Spencer hadn’t said a flat out no.
“I want to ask you something. You can tell me hell no, but I’m hoping you’ll say yes.”
“What?” Spencer eyed him warily.
“Move in with me and bring Wesley. There’s a high school down the street that Adam and Jessica go to that Wesley can get into easily. Anna and Mrs. Walters are here at all times to care for him.”
Spencer turned and squeezed the sink.
Sensing Spencer was on the verge of turning him down, Liam rushed to say something more.
“As a partner or roommate,” Liam said and swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. “Either, I don’t care.”
“No. I can’t. I’m sorry.”
He took a step back. Before revealing how much Spencer had crushed his world, he turned and walked toward the bedroom door.
He’d played his hand too soon.
“Liam?”
“Yeah?” He turned around.
“I still love you,” Spencer said solemnly.
He mustered up a smile. He knew in his heart this wasn’t over.
Someday, he’d ask Spencer again, but right now Spencer wanted to take things slow.
He’d do whatever it took to keep Spencer from running too far, he vowed silently before leaving the room.
Watching Spencer leave his home the next morning along with Forest, Zane, Isaac, and the other FBI agents was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.
“Colonel?”
He turned and found both Maddox and River and mustered up a smile. The pair had been on his doorstep first thing that morning.
“Okay, so, you two better report to the base,” he said, walking back toward his office. As he suspected they would, they followed him instead of leaving.
Just as he sat in his chair, the front gate phone rang.
“Jason?” He punched the speaker button.
“CPS is here, sir.”
He